Pune: Ahead of Navaratra, and the upcoming festival season, the city retailers’ association has issued guidelines to the shopkeepers underlining cleanliness of roads and waste segregation.Shopkeepers were directed to mandatorily follow provisions related to dustbins and not to encroach on footpaths and road spaces.The markets in the city have started bustling with people before the festival. Sachin Nivangune of the retailers’ association said area-wise meetings of shopkeepers are being planned ahead of these festive days.“Inspections of shops and stalls are planned across the city to create awareness among the shopkeepers to strictly follow cleanliness protocols. The shops are also advised to install CCTVs as part of safety measures,” Nivangune said.Officials from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said squads will keep a close watch on the shopkeepers during Navaratra and the drive will continue until Diwali.An official said during Ganeshotsav, it was observed that many shops or stalls did not make arrangements for dustbins. “The eateries, food stalls and sweet shops in significant numbers failed to meet basic expectations of garbage management,” the official said. “We have asked the local ward offices to hold meetings with shopkeepers’ associations. With ongoing rainfall, we are also looking ahead to restrict the possible spread of diseases owing to improper garbage management,” the official said.Meanwhile, the PMC has issued guidelines for the pandals and the groups celebrating Navaratra at public places to ensure that the celebrations do not obstruct vehicular traffic. “The guidelines were issued for the pandals for Ganeshotsav. Similar guidelines will continue during Navaratra. The mandals need to obtain all necessary permissions,” officials said.
